ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the philosophical principles of alter-centered, or reciprocal, individualism, which parallel and underline the alter-centered theory of interpersonal contraction. It examines the operational dynamics of specific social-quietistic behaviors involved in interpersonal contraction by contrasting these behaviors with quietistic self-elimination or self-assertive behaviors. To grasp the profound socially functional implications emanating from the interactive theory of contraction, it is useful to differentiate between the social connotation inherent in the concept of contraction and the asocial, individualistic orientation implicated in classic quietism. It is this presumed inherent interdependence between Hasidic personal and interpersonal active imperatives of self-contracting designification and social unification and the dictum that one should emulate the Divine which differentiates Hasidic active quietism from Christian individualistic and passive quietism. Yet while Christian quietism demanded man's absolute passivity, in contrast to Protestant ascetic activism, both the theologies are essentially individualistic.
